The most talked-about film release of 2023, Barbie, which was finally released last Friday, has not only secured its status as a box office hit, but also its place in cultural history. Having earned £293 million in its opening weekend around the world, it’s the all-time biggest debut for a film directed by a woman (not bad for director Greta Gerwig, best known for Little Woman and Lady Bird, who until recently was considered an indie director).
But what really shone about this film, together with its stunning visual display, clever scripting and – as mentioned – the remarkable female director at the helm of it, is its cast, featuring the biggest and brightest Hollywood names, both established household names like Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera, but also rising stars like several members of the Sex Education cast and Hari Nef.
With significant cast members in their droves (think: multiple Barbies and Kens!), it can be uniquely hard for Barbie film fans to keep track of who plays whom – this, I write as the viewer who failed to recognise megastar Dua Lipa in her cameo as Mermaid Barbie. And so, in a bid to provide a definitive Who’s Who guide to all the Barbie stars, here’s everything you need to know about the star-studded cast line-up:
What is Margot Robbie’s role in Barbie?
The Australian actor plays Stereotypical Barbie, the centrepiece of the entire film. Robbie was also a producer on the project and was deeply involved all the following Barbies and Kens.
Who plays Ken?
Ryan Gosling plays Stereotypical Ken if you like, the romantic interest and sidekick to Margot Robbie’s Barbie. They escape Barbieland together to the real world and get up to all kinds of hi-jinks – and Gosling has been praised thus far for his awesome, comedic “Ken-ergy”.